About.com Guru Mary Bellis reveals that perfume is thousands of years oldthe word "perfume" comes from the Latin per fume "through smoke". One of the oldest uses of perfumes comes form the burning of incense and aromatic herbs used in religious services, often the aromatic gums, frankincense and myrrh, gathered from trees. The Egyptians were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture followed by the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Israelites, Carthaginians, Arabs, Greeks, and Romans. The earliest use of perfume bottles is Egyptian and dates to around 1000 B.C.
When looking back into history, many agree that the Egyptians, during Queen Shebas rule [queen of Yemen and Ethiopia], were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture. From the religious ceremonies involving the burning of incense to the embalming of the dead, perfume was an integral part of the Egyptian life. "The most important perfume used by the Egyptians was the kyphi. Scholars claim that when the tomb of Tutankhamen was opened, this was the odor that issued forth." But even scents like the fragrant myrrh were considered more precious than gold. In the Bible, one of the Three Wise Men brought this gift to the newborn Christ.
It was not until after Alexander the Great, with his desire for conquest, defeated Darius III of Persia and moved into Egypt that he adopted the use of perfumes. It is said that his floors would be sprinkled with scented waters and that his clothes were imprinted with the perfumes of fragrant resins and myrrh. The Greeks played an important role in the science of perfume by categorizing them by the part of the plant from which they were made and documenting their compositions.
Bellis says that the art of perfume is often compared to music; with different notes all combining to create harmony. Perfumes are composed of three notes: notes of the head (top notes), notes of the heart (middle notes), and notes of depth (base notes). The top notes are the most volatile and evaporate the fastest, hence the name "notes of the head". Each of the notes creates is its own scent, yet blends with the others to create a smell, an emotion.
Kim Draper offers a glimpse of perfume-making: “The strength of your aromatic liquid or perfume depends on the ratio of essential oils to water and alcohol. Perfume is the strongest formula: 15-30 percent essential oil, 70-85 percent alcohol, and the remainder or at least 5 percent water. Be sure and use bottled distilled or spring water only. 100 proof Vodka should be used for the alcohol, you may also use Brandy, but it has a distinct aroma of its own and sometimes gets in the way of blending in the essential oils.”
“If you want to add color,” Draper continues, “use a high quality, natural, vegetable food dye. You will also need sterilized bottles to put your creations in, and as much as you want to use the pretty clear cut glass bottles, please don’t. They attract perfume’s worst enemy: the sun. “
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